The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-23
The House.

Mr.. Wagner called up his bill to au-
thorizs the town Of johnson City to
issue bonds. The bill was recon-
mitted to the Judiciary Com mittee.
Mr.. McElwee's House bill No. 8, to
prevent mob violence, being the spe-
cial order, was taken up as substitute
reported by the Judiciary Commit ZEE,
which makes it q felony for any person
or persons, disguised or not, to seize q
person suspected of any offense,
whether in custody or not in custody,
for the purpose of exscling confes-
sion.
The msjority Of the Judiciary Com
mit.ee reported substitute for the
bill and recommended for passage q
minority report signed by Messrs.
Williams, of Franklin, and Mr.. Hill.
Recommended that the bill lie on the
table.
The reasons given were that the
present laws of the State give equal
secnrily to all citizens against violence
and provided for punishment in pro-
portion to the offence.
Mr.. McElwee spoke in favor OF the
bill reported from the committee. He
spoke Of the ussges often perpetrated
upon innocent persons by frenzied
communities, and spoke against the
rule of mob law in general. At the
conclusion of Mr.. McElwee's remarks
the HJuse adjourned till 2 O'Clock
pm. A mot en- by Mr.. Harris to ad-
journ till tomorrow because of Wssh-
ineton's birthday provoked cries OF
"Who was Washir gton 7" "Who was
Washington ?" What Washington ~
and the like, and was voted down.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The House met at 2 o'clock pm,
and was called to order by Speaker
Clapp.
Mr.. Savage, for the Judiciary Com
mite. withdrew the druggists' bill,
and the consideration of Mr.. McEl-
wees bill was resumed.
Mr.. Williams, of franklin, took the
floor in opposition to the bill. He
thought there was no necessity for it.
Mob law was wrong, but there wer9
cases in which legislation would
amount to nothing. There were too
many cases in which mob violence
was resorted 10. There was q class OF
cases in which, regardless Of
law, community would take
the law into It's own hands.
Take that where a nice, delicate fe-
male was the subject OF brute vio-
lence. To punish the scoundrel in
such case by law it was necessary
for the lady to 90 into open court and
tell the story in is details. Civiliz ID
communities, to free her of sHch in
dignity, took the law into their own
hands. II more OF such victims be-
longed to the colored race, 1t was be-
cause more of them were guilty. He
had rather lead the mob in such a
case than be the man that prose-
cuted the mob. PHILOSOPHERS and
reason as one might, the people
would take the law into their hands.
In cases Of seduction during 200 years
there was not case on record where
the slayer Of the seducer had been
convicted. He trusted that would still
continue 20 for the next 200-yes, 1000
years. Mr.. Williams proceeded to
show that the law is now inadequate
II carried out, explaining the law In
various particulars and at length. He
denied that there was one class OF
white persons more the friends OF the
colored people than another.
Mr.. Hart moved the previous ques-
ton on the substitute. The call was
sustained, the action on the bill was
reconsidered and, on motion of Mr..
Whitthorne, the bill was tabled by a
vote of Al yeas to 80 nays.
The various committees submitted
o anumber OF reports on various bills.
NEW RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. johnson: House joint reso.
luton authorizing the Secretary OF
State to insert the actual date Of sign
ing and delivery Of bonds upon being
requested to do 80. Lies ovSr.
By Mr.. Martin: House joint resolu-
ton assessing three mills on the dollar
for school purposes. Lies over.
Kew BILLS. ta
By Mr.. Stone: To protect the purity
Of trial by jury.
By Mr.. Hanna: To prohibit the ig-
milton Of explosives near public build
ings.
By Mr.. Hanna: To amend the ex-
emption laws.
By Mr.. Hanna: To prevent persons
from pointing deadly weapons at one
another.
By Mr.. Hanna (by request): To pre-
vent gambling.
By Mr.. Mynatt: To authorize mar.
ried women to dispose Of their rea
estate. 8"
By Mr.. Speaker Clapp: To amend